Governor praises plan's emphasis on sustainability, vision

A plan to guide development of a state-owned, 640-acre parcel in southeast Bend was approved by the State Land Board in their public meeting earlier this week.

"I am pleased that the Stevens Road Master Plan will help us direct the development of this property to meet the residential, commercial, industrial and recreational needs of the Bend-area community," said Governor Ted Kulongoski, chair of the Land Board. "With careful attention to sustainability and improving the quality of life, I expect this to be a valuable addition to the area."

Proposed development under the plan will include public recreation trails, housing, retail and light industrial development.

The Stevens Road tract, located at 27th St. and Stevens Rd. in Bend, Oregon, is owned by the Department of State Lands (DSL), and is an asset of the Common School Fund, a fund established at statehood for public schools and overseen by DSL and the State Land Board. DSL's land management and other program activities provide revenue for the fund.

"The Stevens Road Master Plan will guide the use and development of this parcel for the next 20 to 30 years," said John Lilly, DSL's asset manager. "What's important now is to bring the parcel into Bend's Urban Growth Boundary so we can start implementing the plan," he said.

More information about the Stevens Road tract is available on the DSL web site.